Sport

Golf star Jack switches to Dorset

Hampshire have lost the services of Jack Singh-Brar, after the teenage star opted to join Dorset club Remedy Oak.

The 17-year-old England international had been one of the county’s top players, but will be unavailable to them from now on, writes GORDON SIMPSON.

Instead, he will be eligible to feature for the Dorset Golf Union.

Singh-Brar’s dad, Ami, explained that he had chosen to move largely because of the quality of the Remedy Oak course.

“It’s an opportunity to play a course of that quality, which I don’t think, with all due respect to Hampshire, that we have got,” he said.

The decision comes as a blow to the county, one of strongest in England, ahead of the new season.

There had been signs of strain in the relationship last year, with Wellow-based Singh-Brar featuring less and less frequently for the first-team.

His father put that down to a conflict of schedules and said the time now seemed right to part ways.

“Behind the scenes, there has been a little bit of niggle with Hampshire, because they have been a little bit upset that Jack hasn’t been able to support them,” he said.

“He couldn’t because of his own personal calendar and schedule.

“There was a little bit of pressure from Hampshire, and there won’t be that pressure from Dorset.

“It’s probably the right move for many reasons.

“Both Dorset and Remedy give Jack the freedom to go about his own schedule.”

Hampshire Golf Union secretary David Wheeler said: “Hampshire is very sorry to lose Jack, who is an outstanding prospect.

“We will follow his career with great interest. He was much in demand and Hampshire’s loss is undoubtedly Dorset’s gain.”

Asked whether Singh-Brar, previously a member at Brokenhurst Manor, was likely to play for Dorset’s first-team, Ami added: “I think he would if his schedule allows him to. If it does, I think he will.”

Singh-Brar’s move came about after his father contacted Remedy Oak to see if they would be interested in supporting the plus-three handicapper.

He said the club informed him that they were, and that they had been searching for a prominent male junior to complement teenage prodigy Georgia Hall, 17, on the ladies’ side.

Singh-Brar’s affiliation with Remedy Oak will be reviewed on an annual basis.

His dad explained that his aims for the season include breaking into the top 100 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings – he is currently 367th – and winning at least one major national junior tournament.